RE: sql*loader datatype question

I agree with Joe.  I always have
declared the data to be char, even if I am loading a number field.  Always seems to work.
 
Tom Mercadante Oracle Certified
Professional

  <FONT
  face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----From: JOE TESTA   [mailto:JTESTA_at_longaberger.com]Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 2:48   PMTo: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-LSubject: Re:   sql*loader datatype question
  Lisa, in the modeling world, unless you are performing a calculation(like   on phone number), i've always been told to make them character.    
  joe
>>> lisa.koivu_at_efairfield.com 08/30/01 01:33PM
>>>

  I'm hitting a wall here.  I'm trying to load   data into a large table.  Two of the fields are phone numbers (10   digits).  The database field is defined as number(10).    When I try to load these records, they err out   with an error similar to below.
  Record 858:  Rejected - Error on table   INV_OWNER.FPSITE, column FPS_AFFIL_LTD_PTS_FPS. <FONT   face="Book Antiqua">ORA-01722: invalid number   So I change the fields to character, get the data   in and it truly is all 10-digit numbers.  I'm wondering if I'm missing   something in the format.  The doco says that INTEGER EXTERNAL is to be   used for "human readable" numbers, non-binary, when you want to specify the   length.  The length I've chosen is correct.  I can even create a   table with number(10) columns and insert the varchar(10) phone number data   into it! 
  What am I missing?  I really do not want to   change all my number fields to character.  It would defeat the purpose. I   have a feeling I'm missing some sort of conversion in SQL*Loader but I don't   see it off the top of my head.
  Thanks in advance for any suggestions.    

  Lisa Koivu
  wanna-be DBA Hand Holder (that's what I've been doing   this morning with an ex-coworker) and DBA Ft.   Lauderdale, FL, USA
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